A fanfare is a short piece of music played by trumpets and other brass instruments, frequently accompanied by percussion, usually for ceremonial purposes. The term is also used symbolically, for instance of occasions for which there is much publicity, even when no music is involved.

A fanfare also is a typical Dutch Orchestra, with trumpets, flugelhorns, French horns, tubas, saxophones and percussion. The Dutch amateur fanfareorchestras are famous for their high standard of quality. For example Fanfare De Eendracht from Den Ilp - the Netherlands. See their page at www.eendr8.nl !

Fanfares originated in the Middle Ages; although popular depictions of ancient Rome frequently include fanfares, the evidence is slight. In 18th century France the fanfare was a movement with energy and repetition of notes, and fanfares of the modern description date from the 19th century, when they were composed for British coronations (such as Hubert Parry's I was glad for Edward VII) and other important occasions.

Some composers have used the style as a theme:

• Fanfare for the Common Man, Aaron Copland
• Fanfare for a New Theatre , Igor Stravinsky
• Fanfare for St Edmundsbury, Benjamin Britten